FORMER Newport County, Swansea and Spurs ’keeper Mark Kendall has died, aged 49.

The ex-Wales Under-21 cap, and father of ex-Bluebirds goalkeeper Lee, passed away on Thursday evening.

Having joined Tottenham as a 16-year-old apprentice in 1974, the Blackwood-born stopper made 29 appearances for the White Hart Lane side before joining hometown team County in 1980.

And he would stay at Newport for seven years, playing his part in European Cup Winners Cup success before joining Wolves at helping them to promotion to the Third and Second Division in consecutive seasons.

A brief spell at Swansea followed before hanging up the boots and joining Gwent Police at the age of 34, becoming a DC and before moving into training and being named national police trainer of the year in 2007.

The grandfather of two’s time with the force was marked with successes, including two police commendations, one for an off-duty arrest when he witnessed an assault by four men and one for bravery when he was confronted by a man wielding a chainsaw.

As well as being capped at under-21 level, Kendall also represented Wales as a schoolboy and youth ’keeper.

His son Lee, who now plays for Rhyl in the Welsh Premier League, heard the news last night while on holiday in Spain.